Most of my weekday meals are built around rice, pasta, vegetables and beans. I am not strictly vegetarian, but meat every day is not really in my budget or preference.
I am trying to make the meals more filling, especially on work days. Lentils and chickpeas are easy. Tofu is reasonably priced where I live, but I still cook it badly about half the time. Yogurt and eggs help at breakfast.
I am less interested in hitting a magic number than in not being hungry again an hour after dinner. What inexpensive additions or meal combinations made the biggest practical difference for you?
5 replies
For filling meals, I’d look at fat as much as protein. Beans plus a little oil, peanut sauce, tahini, cheese, or eggs can make a cheap bowl...
For filling meals, I’d look at fat as much as protein. Beans plus a little oil, peanut sauce, tahini, cheese, or eggs can make a cheap bowl stick around longer.
I agree on the fat part, but I’d still keep tofu in the rotation. Pan-fried tofu with rice and vegetables is boring in the best way.
What usually helps me is making the side dish do more work. Chickpeas in a salad feel like a side; chickpeas with bread, yogurt and oil feel...